July 18, 2007 – 10:25 am
A common emergency procedure we frequently put into place is that of evacuation. In the event that an evacuation is necessary, knowing procedures and having a plan ahead of time will ensure you are prepared and able to remain calm and in control, able to handle the situation.
If an evacuation is necessary, you will be notified via one of the main forms of communication: television or radio. The amount of time you will have to leave your current location will depend on the severity of the disaster. In some cases this may be a day or two. In many cases, however, evacuation may be immediate, leaving no time with which to obtain adequate supplies. For this reason being prepared is imperative.
The following list will aid in effectively handling an evacuation. Some of the hints may not be possible if time does not permit:
1) Keep the car filled with fuel if you are expecting an emergency. Gas stations may be closed in the event of an emergency. So ensuring you are prepared before hand is necessary. If you do not have a car ensure you make arrangments for transportation.
2) Follow all instructions provided by the relevent authorities.
3) If time permits, be sure to collect your disaster supplies kit. For information on creating a disaster supplies kit refer to our previous post.
4) In the event of an evacuation, leave as early as possible to avoid delays due to weather, traffic congestion etc.
5) If you are being evacuated from home and have time to change, ensure you wear comfortable, strong shoes and protective clothing, such as long pants.
6) If you have the time before leaving your home, ensure you unplug electirical goods, secure loose objects outside and lock the house.
7) If you are driving, remain alert. Stick to main roads and do not take short cuts. Watch out for fallen power lines, stay away from these.
If, for some reason, you find yourself required to evacuate without sufficient time to plan or pack, the following quick checklist will aid in grabbing a few items that may be useful. Remember, only stop to collect these items if there is sufficient time, do not put your safety on the line to do so. If authorities have requested you leave your place of residence immediately, you must follow their instructions.
1) Pack your mobile phone, wallet and a list of appropriate contact numbers. It is wise to have these numbers written down in addition to being stored in your phone. In the event your phone dies, you will still have access to them.
2) Quickly pack some bottled water and ready to eat food.
3) Quickly pack a small bag with underwear, some extra clothes and toiletries. Ensure you pack any medication you require.
4) Grab the your car keys and home keys.
5) If time permits, pack a torch, battery opperated radio, extra batteries and a first aid kit.
Despite only serving the basic needs, these items will make an evacuation much more bearable.
To avoid being caught unprepared for an evacuation, it is always beneficial to have a premade disaster supplies kit. This will enable you to evacuate at the drop of a hat without having to gather necessary items. For information on creating a basic disaster supplies kit, refer to the previous post on preparing a disaster survival kit.
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